CANDIDATES fighting to be elected to Westminster today have warned that voter fraud could determine the outcome of the general election as evidence emerges of massive postal vote rigging. Police have launched four criminal inquiries in Bethnal Green and B

CANDIDATES fighting to be elected to Westminster today have warned that voter fraud could determine the outcome of the general election as evidence emerges of massive postal vote rigging.

Police have launched four criminal inquiries in Bethnal Green and Bow amid widespread cases of electoral rolls being packed with 'bogus' voters.

Officials report a flood of postal vote applications in marginal seats. With the outcome of the closest election in a generation hanging in the balance, a few thousand 'stolen' votes there could determine who wins the keys to Downing Street.

Officials in Tower Hamlets received 5,166 new registrations just before the April 20 deadline, and there has been no time to check them all.

In Bethnal Green Respect and Conservative leaders have voiced concerns that the electoral register has been deliberately stacked with fictitious names.

Last week the Advertiser visited one flat in Cambridge Heath Road where 18 men are apparently claiming a vote, all of whom registered within the past month.

The students living there were baffled by many of the names said to be residing with them. Another resident was surprised to learn that eight complete strangers were also registered as living in the small flat she shares with her partner.

Respect's George Galloway has asked Met Police Commissioner to launch a full scale enquiry into the alleged frauds.

Tower Hamlets Tory leader Peter Golds said: All the dodgy addresses seem to involve Bangladeshi names, and the police are terrified of investigating that community for fear of being branded racists.

See our other stories:

Late surge for election registration sparks renewed fraud fear

Reporter attacked in election fraud probe

Galloway names poll 'cheats'

Angry Tories demand jail terms for ballot box fraudsters

Electoral Commission 'closely monitoring' claims of East End vote rigging

Final surge in voting registration sparks police headache

Facebook attack on Tower Hamlets council candidate fuels anger

Galloway taunts Fitz with Afghan jibe as Votergate sparks email complaints

Jim Fitzpatrick slams 'vote fraud' in Poplar and Limehouse